# Benefits (and Risks) of Vinegar... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 1, 2012, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395 "2012-02-01T06:52:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/21 "2012-02-01T15:23:04Z")
Oh, once I tried regimen of capful of “[Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar](http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Apple-Cider-Vinegar-Unfiltered/dp/B0006Z7NOK)” twice a day based on someone’s testimony that it is excellent for general health and especially straightening out GERD/painful ulcerous raw stomach problem I had at the time, I think… or maybe it was for lowering blood pressure… Anyhow I just couldn’t handle that Bragg’s organic vinegar stuff any longer than a week as it just tasted awful. But then, mahbe it fixed my stomach… although I was supposed to follow through for at least 3 months. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/22 "2012-02-01T15:39:15Z")
> [@brittekland](#): > > Oh, once I tried regimen of capful of “[Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar](http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Apple-Cider-Vinegar-Unfiltered/dp/B0006Z7NOK)” twice a day based on someone’s testimony that it is excellent for general health and especially straightening out GERD/painful ulcerous raw stomach problem I had at the time So you drank acid to help a stomach ulcer? Am I the only one that sees the massive, bleeding problem with that idea? ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/23 "2012-02-01T15:40:14Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Bottom line? you probably want to avoid chugging it straight out of the bottle - but go ahead and enjoy a nice tangy barbeque sauce on your chicken breast sandwich, and put plenty of malt vinegar on your fish and chips. This to me sounds like the most reasonable answer. In moderation, along with a healthy diet, vinegar has benefits. Sometimes people think that if a little is good a lot is better. Not always the case. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/24 "2012-02-01T15:48:57Z")
My mother was a huge believer in the benefits of vinegar, which she drank (sometimes mixed with honey, and, I think, diluted with a little water). However, she was very specific that it had to be _cider_ vinegar. Other sorts, including the distilled, white stuff, would not do at all. I think she told me that this was because cider vinegar, unlike other types, contains malic acid, and that this, rather than acetic acid, was the main source of the benefit. The main benefit she claimed from it (though far from the only one) was relief from the symptoms of arthritis. I do not vouch for the truth of any of this - my Mum was rather prone to dietary woo - but her enthusiasm for cider vinegar lasted a lot longer than any of her other health and diet related fads, and she is going to be 95 next week, having outlived all of her siblings by quite a bit. (I refer to her cider vinegar habit in the past tense because she is now semi-senile and no longer has much say in her diet or medication.) In the USA (or certainly in Southern California), cider vinegar seems to be the default, cheap sort, so perhaps for Americans it is less important to specify that, for medicinal purposes, it be cider vinegar. That is what they will probably get anyway. In the UK, however, where my mother lived all her life, cider vinegar is relatively hard to find, and the cheap default is either malt vinegar, or something that goes by the appetizing name of [non-brewed condiment](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non_Brewed_Condiment). ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/25 "2012-02-01T15:49:57Z")
[Here’s a list of the risks involved](http://www.webmd.com/diet/apple-cider-vinegar?page=2): > [@](#): > > [ul][li] Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic. The main ingredient of apple cider vinegar is acetic acid. As the name suggests, it’s quite harsh. Apple cider vinegar should always be diluted with water or juice before swallowed. Pure apple cider vinegar could damage the tooth enamel and the tissues in your throat and mouth. One study found a woman who got an apple cider vinegar supplement stuck in her throat. She seemed to have suffered lasting damage to her esophagus. Vinegar has been known to cause contact burns to the skin.[/li][li] Long-term use of apple cider vinegar could cause low potassium levels and lower bone density. If you already have low potassium or osteoporosis, talk to your doctor before using apple cider vinegar.[/li][li] Apple cider vinegar could theoretically interact with diuretics, laxatives, and medicines for diabetes and heart disease.[/li][li] If you have diabetes, check with your doctor before using apple cider vinegar. Vinegar contains chromium, which can alter your insulin levels.[/li][/ul] Also, it might not be what it claims to be in the first place: > [@](#): > > Using apple cider vinegar supplements – instead of the liquid itself – adds another layer of risk. You just can’t be sure what you’re really getting. **Unlike medicines, supplements are not regulated by the FDA. They aren’t routinely tested for effectiveness or even basic safety.** A 2005 study looked at the ingredients of eight different brands of apple cider vinegar supplements. The researchers found that: > [ul] > [li] The ingredients listed on the box did not reflect the actual ingredients.[/li][li] The ingredients varied a great deal between different brands.[/li][li] The recommended dosages varied a great deal between brands.[/li][/ul] > Most disturbing, the chemical analysis of these samples led the researchers to doubt whether any of these brands actually contained any apple cider vinegar at all. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/26 "2012-02-01T15:51:54Z")
Cecil wrote a column about the dangers of drinking vinegar. > **[Is consuming vinegar to excess dangerous?](https://www.straightdope.com/21343776/is-consuming-vinegar-to-excess-dangerous)** ---
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/27 "2012-02-01T16:48:58Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > So you drank acid to help a stomach ulcer? Am I the only one that sees the massive, bleeding problem with that idea? [del]Ancient Chinese secret[/del] Sheer magic. (Like I said, I forget exactly what it was supposedly good for and why I tried it. I definitely remember the awful taste. I think I did chase it with a tea spoonful of honey and water.) ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/28 "2012-02-01T17:07:13Z")
I guess there’s a current vinegar fad, though vinegar-based beverages have in fact been popular at various times and places going back to antiquity. The Ancient Greeks and Romans had [posca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posca), which was made with diluted vinegar and herbs. In the Caribbean and American colonies (and later states) [switchel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchel) was a popular drink; it consisted of diluted vinegar flavoured with ginger and sometimes sweetened with honey, sugar, molasses, or maple syrup. I’ve always wondered what these would taste like; they seem simple enough to make at home so maybe I should actually mix up a batch. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/29 "2012-02-01T17:22:42Z")
> [@thelabdude](#): > > I checked. We have 2 bottles of vinegar in the house, cheap junk from Aldi’s and real Heinz apple cider vinegar. Many of those advocating drinking vinegar specify the apple cider vinegar. I have been advised to drink a glass every day just like my friend does. > > Since I have had some bladder infections in the last 2 years, I have been wondering about lowering my urine pH. Rather than retype what I put in an answer elsewhere last night on a dog question, I will copy part of it. The asker is looking for an alternative to Royal Canin Urinary SO to control crystals in his dog’s bladder. I can give a better answer for looking into this my self having several urinary issues myself. I have joked about seeing if my vet will sell me Science Diet C/D for myself. In general, I don’t feel ingredients make that much difference. I did look at regular Science Diet and Science Diet C/D. the main difference I could see was the pH control formula had calcium sulfate in it. Makes good sense, it is the salt of a weak base and strong acid which means it would have a pH below 7, neutral. It is the job of the dog’s kidneys to send excess salts straight to the bladder. I bet if you check the ingredients for Urinary SO you will find the calcium sulfate or a similar salt. I am surprised the C/D uses a calcium salt since many of the stones are insoluble calcium salts. I eventually hope to steer my urologist to what I should be taking for my UTI’s. I have very little faith in the food kooks pushing apple cider vinegar and cranberry juice. They contain weak acids whose salts may raise the pH, and may never make it to the bladder. It is not like they subject their theories to testing.‘’ > > By the way, I am a chemist; but haven’t done much with the pH of acids and salts for over 40 years. > > So yes, I would like to see some straight dope on the health benefits of vinegar. > > Note, both the concentration of an acid and the ionization constant contribute to pH. Acids in water break down into H3O+ ions. pH is the negative common log of the H3O+ ions concentration. Pure water has 10^-7 of both H3O+ and OH- ions, thus pH 7. Acids don’t ionize completely in water and some more than others. Sulfuric acid is highly ionized, but the acetic acid in vinegar isn’t as high. This is something of a high jack, but I was a healthy volunteer in a study of the effects of hippuric acid, found in cranberry juice, and lasix. (a liter of cranberry juice and 40 mg Lasix) The short result was the hippuric acid caused a much greater output than lasix alone. So, indeed cranberry juice will help some bladder infections by diluting urine. We didn’t compare other acids. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/30 "2012-02-01T22:49:24Z")
> [@gazpacho](#): > > Cecil wrote a column about the dangers of drinking vinegar. > > [Is consuming vinegar to excess dangerous? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2659/is-consuming-vinegar-to-excess-dangerous) Thank God! Someone remembered! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/31 "2012-02-01T23:40:55Z")
> [@](#): > > In the USA (or certainly in Southern California), cider vinegar seems to be the default, cheap sort, so perhaps for Americans it is less important to specify that, for medicinal purposes, it be cider vinegar. That is what they will probably get anyway. In my experience, white vinegar is about half the price of cider vinegar, and you can get other varieties for about the same price as the cider. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/32 "2012-02-02T02:46:19Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > This is something of a high jack, but I was a healthy volunteer in a study of the effects of hippuric acid, found in cranberry juice, and lasix. (a liter of cranberry juice and 40 mg Lasix) The short result was the hippuric acid caused a much greater output than lasix alone. So, indeed cranberry juice will help some bladder infections by diluting urine. We didn’t compare other acids. Diluting urine? Isn’t that more a function of how much fluids are consumed? How can something dilute urine unless it increases the fluids consumed? ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/33 "2012-02-02T02:57:34Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > …Here’s a list of the risks involved… > Long-term use of apple cider vinegar could cause low potassium levels and lower bone density. If you already have low potassium or osteoporosis, talk to your doctor before using apple cider vinegar. This one is actually interesting to me, as I take an acid reducer (Prilosec) for reflux - and the reduced acid is believed to decrease absorption of calcium and other minerals, and lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis. I’m told to take calcium supplements. Anyone have any ideas what the mechanism is of vinegar (i.e. INCREASING acidity) in causing the same effect? ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/34 "2012-02-02T03:47:47Z")
It’s great for untangling hair and keeping it pH balanced if you use an alkali pre-wash. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/35 "2012-02-02T05:31:05Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > This one is actually interesting to me, as I take an acid reducer (Prilosec) for reflux - and the reduced acid is believed to decrease absorption of calcium and other minerals, and lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis. I’m told to take calcium supplements. > > Anyone have any ideas what the mechanism is of vinegar (i.e. INCREASING acidity) in causing the same effect? Prilosec’s effect is on stomach hydrochloric acid which apparently helps make some of the more common sources of calcium (e.g. calcium carbonate) easier to absorb farther in the gut. This is a local gut effect and does not effect systemic acid base balance. Regular ingestion of large amounts of acetic acid OTOH, does effect systemic pH, the excess acid gets buffered by the calcium carbonate of the bone, freeing calcium from bone into circulation and from there into the urine in order to reduce the now higher than the body wants serum calcium level. Conversely regular ingestion of bases, such as potassium carbonate, decrease urinary calcium losses. In brief, the local acid effect of Prilosec impacts calcium _absorption_; the systemic acid effect of regular significant vinegar intake impacts calcium _excretion_. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/36 "2012-02-02T06:07:14Z")
FWIW, vinegar is just a solution of [Acetic Acid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetic_acid). Concentration depends on whatever the manufacturer or distiller decides upon. If you want the extreme case (and this is ridiculously extreme, no vinegar is sold this way): We use, from time to time, “glacial acetic acid” in industry. This is more or less as concentrated as acetic acid gets. Anyways, our pilot plant had used a hand pump, unbeknownst to me, for pumping a solution of near-glacial acetic acid. Later that day, in the pilot plant, I needed a hand pump. I picked up said pump. Not knowing if it was clean, I brought the tip close to my nose and smelled deeply. Stupid. I nearly blacked out. The acid burnt the hell out of my sinuses and I don’t know if it was oxygen deprivation or just the acid residue itself; my knees buckled and I fell over on the floor. Dizzy for at least an hour. Lesson learnt. I’m lucky I didn’t fully lose consciousness and bang my head or something. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/37 "2012-02-02T11:42:53Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Prilosec’s effect is on stomach hydrochloric acid which apparently helps make some of the more common sources of calcium (e.g. calcium carbonate) easier to absorb farther in the gut. This is a local gut effect and does not effect systemic acid base balance. Regular ingestion of large amounts of acetic acid OTOH, does effect systemic pH, the excess acid gets buffered by the calcium carbonate of the bone, freeing calcium from bone into circulation and from there into the urine in order to reduce the now higher than the body wants serum calcium level. Conversely regular ingestion of bases, such as potassium carbonate, decrease urinary calcium losses. > > In brief, the local acid effect of Prilosec impacts calcium _absorption_; the systemic acid effect of regular significant vinegar intake impacts calcium _excretion_. So large amounts of vinegar extract calcium from your bones? I am male and not quite as susceptible to bone loss as the ladies. Still, it is nothing I need. Not sure higher calcium in my urine is good either. Another point. Since 100%, glacial acetic acid, is still a liquid, what else is in the vinegar pills? I did a search last night and all I found was hype. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/38 "2012-02-02T17:05:24Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Prilosec’s effect is on stomach hydrochloric acid which apparently helps make some of the more common sources of calcium (e.g. calcium carbonate) easier to absorb farther in the gut. This is a local gut effect and does not effect systemic acid base balance. Regular ingestion of large amounts of acetic acid OTOH, does effect systemic pH, the excess acid gets buffered by the calcium carbonate of the bone, freeing calcium from bone into circulation and from there into the urine in order to reduce the now higher than the body wants serum calcium level. Conversely regular ingestion of bases, such as potassium carbonate, decrease urinary calcium losses. > > In brief, the local acid effect of Prilosec impacts calcium _absorption_; the systemic acid effect of regular significant vinegar intake impacts calcium _excretion_. Cool - thanks for the info!! So if I wanted to turn into a boneless blob (like Peter did in an episode of Family Guy), basically I just need to wash down a handful of Prilosec with a big ol’ glass of cider vinegar every few hours ;). And more seriously, it sounds almost like taking bicarb would be a good choice for acid control because it would help the stomach, AND protect the bones. I know, there are plenty of issues with baking soda as an acid reducer and it’s not advisable, it’s just an interesting academic exercise. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/39 "2012-02-02T17:30:45Z")
> [@thelabdude](#): > > Another point. Since 100%, glacial acetic acid, is still a liquid, what else is in the vinegar pills? I did a search last night and all I found was hype. Aha! The secret is revealed! Most nostrum elixirs and pills contain HYPE! ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395/40 "2012-02-02T17:55:13Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Cool - thanks for the info!! > > So if I wanted to turn into a boneless blob (like Peter did in an episode of Family Guy), basically I just need to wash down a handful of Prilosec with a big ol’ glass of cider vinegar every few hours ;). > > And more seriously, it sounds almost like taking bicarb would be a good choice for acid control because it would help the stomach, AND protect the bones. I know, there are plenty of issues with baking soda as an acid reducer and it’s not advisable, it’s just an interesting academic exercise. I am on Prilisec, but occasionally need a little more. I take calcium carbonate tablets. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-and-risks-of-vinegar/611395.md?page=3)